sports
Lakers complete sign-and-trade for center and add three free agents
The Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a sign-and-trade for a center and signed three unrestricted free agents within 35 minutes on Wednesday. The moves followed LeBron James informing the team he would play elsewhere.
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The Los Angeles Lakers completed a sign-and-trade for center Walker Kessler and signed three unrestricted free agents in about 35 minutes on Wednesday morning. The team acquired Kessler from the Utah Jazz and added Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton.
The transactions left the roster younger than last season after veteran role players Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard signed elsewhere.
Background on roster changes LeBron James informed the Lakers on Tuesday morning that he would continue his career elsewhere. Lakers governor Jeanie Buss released a statement thanking James for his eight years with the franchise. James posted an appreciative message on X. Multiple team sources told ESPN there was no personal rift between James and Luka Doncic.
Reasons for the moves The Lakers had inquired about Kessler as early as the 2023-24 season but were rebuffed because Utah's asking price was too high. Utah became more willing to move the 24-year-old this offseason because he was a restricted free agent seeking a raise.
Doncic gave the front office a directive this offseason to find an "A-list" center. The Lakers had previously been unable to acquire one despite requests from James and Anthony Davis.
